Disciplinary law

Introduction

Rules of conduct in combat sports

The Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (the Dutch combat sports authority) organises disciplinary law for kickboxing, muaythai and MMA. Its purpose is to protect athletes, coaches, referees and others against misconduct.

In the past, nine different organisations arranged this themselves. Sanctions, such as exclusion from competitions, were imposed by each organisation separately. Competing organisations could simply ignore suspensions. At the request of the combat sports sector, the Vechtsportautoriteit has now put this on a better footing. There is now one single system that is used and enforced by all federations and event organisers in the Netherlands.

Disciplinary law concerns breaches of sporting rules and rules of conduct. Anyone taking part in competitions, for example through the Fightpassport, agrees to these rules. Gyms do so when they apply for the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (the quality mark of the Vechtsportautoriteit). Federations do so when they sign the covenant.

The rules apply to conduct during sporting activities, but also to conduct outside of them. If someone behaves badly outside the sport and this damages combat sports, that may also have consequences.

Report

The regulations setting out all rights and obligations can be found here. If you believe someone has seriously breached the rules, you can let us know using the reporting form for disciplinary offences. Both victims and witnesses can report misconduct. Send the form to info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl.

Assessment of admissibility

The disciplinary secretary and the prosecutor assess what should be done with the report.

a. Referral
Sometimes another body is better placed to help you. In that case we will help you make contact, for example with the Centrum Veilige Sport Nederland (the national centre for safe sport), Slachtofferhulp (Victim Support Netherlands) or the police.

b. Another solution?
Sometimes a problem is better resolved in another way than through disciplinary proceedings, for example by arranging a conversation. This is of course only done with the consent of the person making the report.

c. Disciplinary proceedings are initiated
If the rules have indeed been breached and the accused is bound by those rules, disciplinary proceedings can be initiated. If there is sufficient information, the prosecutor takes on the case.

The prosecutor investigates

When the prosecutor starts the investigation, he compiles a case file. He examines the evidence and hears those involved, witnesses and experts.

The prosecutor makes a settlement proposal where possible

Sometimes the prosecutor makes a settlement proposal to the person alleged to have breached the rules. If no settlement is reached, the secretary sends the case file to the person who made the report, the accused and the disciplinary committee. Sensitive information is of course handled with care.

Ruling

A ruling is usually given during the hearing. If the disciplinary committee needs more time, it issues its ruling within ten working days. Possible sanctions are a reprimand, a suspension, expulsion from membership or a fine. Rulings are published in anonymised form on the VA website.

Appeal

The prosecutor, the accused, the person who made the report and the board of the VA can appeal against a ruling of the disciplinary committee. Send the appeal in writing, with reasons, within four weeks of the ruling to info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl.

Review

You can submit a request for review. This requires new relevant facts or evidence to have come to light after the ruling. Submit the request via info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl. State clearly what the new facts are and include any evidence.

Composition of the disciplinary committee

The disciplinary committee consists of experts with a passion for combat sports:

• Casper van Weerd, lawyer
• Hind Mechri, legal expert
• Leen van Duijn, Chief Security Officer KLM
• Klaas Arends, legal expert in environmental and planning law (Omgevingsrecht)
• Ruben Laats, legal expert
• Joost Quant, lawyer
• Joyce Wesdorp, lawyer and deputy judge
• Vanessa Kohn, legal expert
• Jeroen Houffelaar, civil servant in the social domain
• Joort Visser, lecturer in Law at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences)
• Pepijn Le Heux, lawyer
• Christine Vermeerssen, civil servant, Public Order and Safety (Openbare Orde en Veiligheid)
• Razwan Popal, legal expert
• Yusuf Ersoy, lawyer

Rulings of the disciplinary committee

The VA publishes the rulings of the disciplinary committee in anonymised form. We do this because we want to be transparent about disciplinary law, while also properly protecting the privacy and safety of those involved.

Case 230002, ruling of 9 May 2023, charge: assault, that is, the use of physical violence outside the ring, cage or gym, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 230004-1, ruling of 12 September 2023, charge: assault (or incitement to) physical violence outside the ring, cage or gym, conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport, and other forms of transgressive behaviour causing physical, mental or emotional harm to another person.

Case 230004-2, ruling of 12 September 2023, charge: conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport, and other forms of transgressive behaviour causing physical, mental or emotional harm to another person.

Case 230009-1, ruling of 1 March 2024, charge: assault, that is, the use of physical violence outside the ring, cage or gym, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 230009-2, ruling of 1 March 2024, charge: assault, that is, the use of physical violence outside the ring, cage or gym, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 230010, ruling of 1 April 2024, charge: conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 230011-1, ruling of 19 April 2024, charge: the use of physical violence outside the ring, cage or gym, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 230011-2, ruling of 6 May 2024, charge: assault, that is, the use of physical violence outside the ring, cage or gym, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 230010-b, ruling of the appeals committee of 12 June 2024, charge: conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of combat sports.

Case 230013, ruling of 10 November 2024, charge: assault, that is, the use of physical violence outside the ring, cage or gym, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 230014, ruling of 1 June 2025, charge: conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport, and other forms of transgressive behaviour causing physical, mental or emotional harm to another person.

Case 250017-1, ruling of 30 January 2026, charge: assault, that is, the use of physical violence in the ring contrary to the applicable rules, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 230017-2, ruling of 30 January 2026, charge: verbal abuse/insults, assault, that is, the use of physical violence in the ring contrary to the applicable rules, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 250017-2-b, appeal against the ruling of 30 January 2026, charge: verbal abuse/insults, assault, that is, the use of physical violence in the ring contrary to the applicable rules, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.

Case 250019, ruling of 16 May 2026, charge: assault, that is, the use of physical violence in the gym contrary to the applicable rules, and conduct that may cause serious damage to the image of the sport.